Shall We Learn How to Do Nothing?
Just a quick note to remind you that there are still spaces available at Scribble-Scribble, the Writing Retreat happening July 25th-28th in Delhi, NY. Click here for more information or drop me a line at la@labourgeois.biz to sign up!
Who can resist a book called How to Do Nothing in the middle of the hottest part of the summer? Especially when the calls on your time for parades and picnics and fireworks displays and farmers markets and family reunions overwhelm your email, text chains, and mailbox! The whole idea just feels right for lazing around outside (or inside under the air conditioner) and reading when it gets too hot to think.
But the second part of the title, Resisting the Attention Economy, that was the part that screamed “This Is Important!” Every moment I spend imbibing “content” feels like I’m being used and that icky feeling dribbles in and taints the enjoyment of things that I love like reading ALL of Substack and chatting with old friends on Facebook. Every algorithm meant to make my life “easier” is just an obstacle for me to overcome so I can see something new and different, discover the lovely kismet of someone posting something that makes me giggle right at lunchtime, finding an old friend who started posting on a platform, and actually finding a book because I typed the title into the search field.
That, beyond everything else, makes my blood boil. When I am diverted from the book that I WANT to find and PURCHASE because the author didn’t pay for an ad?!?! Screw you, Amazon!
Oh my! Was that outburst caused by the heat or the feeling of being a commodity, that my eyeballs are being purchased by someone that I can’t see or hear or know or even be paid for? That is the part of social media that makes me feel like I’m trapped in a glass box surrounded by people just staring at me and trading cash at random points. Creepy!
So, a book that promises to help me resist that glass box AND do nothing on a hot summer day? Yes, please!
Plus, it promises to be more than just a lovely dream of a way that life could be. The description says, “How to do Nothing is an action plan for thinking outside of capitalist narratives of efficiency and techno-determinism. Provocative, timely, and utterly persuasive, this book will change how you see your place in our world.”
Are you in? Grab a copy from the library, favorite indie bookshop, or online and join us to read How to Do Nothing this summer!
I’m LA (as in tra-la-la) Bourgeois, a writer and KMCC-certified creativity coach empowering you to think differently and unlock your creativity to do whatever you want to do!
Together, we’ll overcome obstacles, disarm fear and overwhelm, and free you from perfectionism and procrastination. Whether you’re looking to deepen your relationship with your patrons, create your bucket-list project, or ignite the passion for creativity again, let’s confront your obstacles together.
Click here to explore coaching options or contact me at la@labourgeois.biz to ask questions and schedule an exploratory call.
You know I'm doing that right now